Hideo Kojima's ambitious horror project, titled OD, is reportedly safe from Microsoft's latest wave of game cancellations and studio closures. This marks the second time the title has survived such an internal review, according to sources familiar with Microsoft's plans.
Amid reports of a significant corporate 'reset' within Microsoft's video game division, which involves cutting major projects and studios to reassess investments, OD is said to remain in development at Kojima Productions in partnership with Xbox Publishing. Microsoft has stated it is "taking a fresh look at where we invest so we're focusing on our highest priorities."
The survival of OD is attributed in part to its high-profile collaborators. The game features the work of acclaimed director Jordan Peele and a notable cast including Sophia Lillis, Hunter Schafer, and the late Udo Kier. These elements, combined with Kojima's considerable industry influence, may have made the project a more difficult target for culling.
This is not the first time OD has navigated such a situation. Approximately a year prior, during a period of significant layoffs at Microsoft that saw titles like Everwild and the Perfect Dark reboot canceled, OD also reportedly survived. The game initially received backing from former Xbox boss Phil Spencer, and his successor, Asha Sharma, has expressed enthusiasm for the project, viewing it as a unique offering that deserves space to develop.
Kojima himself has previously described OD not merely as a game, but as "a movie, but at the same time a new form of media." The project is understood to be in its third year of development.
While definitive confirmation from Microsoft regarding the status of OD and any potential layoffs is pending, if the current reports are accurate, the game will continue its development path.